Valley Maple Leafs lead playoff series 2-1

The Pengiuns' Jamie McIntyre shouts to a teammate as Brody McCarron defends the front of the net.

WINDSOR, N.S. — The first round of the Fred Fox Division playoffs between the Valley Maple Leafs and Easts Hants Penguins is a fierce battle.

With a home win Feb. 22, the Leafs now lead the Best of Seven series two games to one.

“There's still lots of hockey left. This is kind of an up and down, back and forth series,” said assistant coach Brett Fletcher. He is hoping his defending champions can remain focused and keep on winning.

“Every night, the guys have to play three full periods and stay out of the penalty box.”

With a home win Feb. 22, the Leafs now lead the Best of Seven series two games to one.

“There's still lots of hockey left. This is kind of an up and down, back and forth series,” said assistant coach Brett Fletcher. He is hoping his defending champions can remain focused and keep on winning.

“Every night, the guys have to play three full periods and stay out of the penalty box.”

Drew Stonehouse braces for impact as the Penguins mount an offensive attack.Leafs goaltender Christopher Clokie was sharp in nets Feb. 22, making some difficult saves and deflections.Drew Stonehouse put the Leafs on the scoreboard Feb. 22, not once but twice.

The Leafs led 2-0 after the first period, with Drew Stonehouse drawing first blood and team captain Tyler Young adding one on the power-play.

The teams traded goals in the second, with Stonehouse recording his second of the evening and Eric Snedden, from QuinnMacDonald and Jamie McIntyre, scoring for the Penguins.

The third period kept fans on the edge of their seats as Snedden, from McIntyre and Alex Anthony, brought the game to within one. The Leafs went on the defensive and denied the Penguins any goals near the end of the match. With 20 seconds showing on the clock, Sean Anderson, from Graeme MacKinley, fired off an empty net goal to ensure a victory.

Also picking up assists for the Leafs were Wesley Demone (2), Young, Anderson, and Patrick Duggan.

“We tightened up really well and played a better defensive hockey game,” said Fletcher of the 4-2 win.

Christopher Clokie was sharp in nets for the Leafs, stopping 34 of 36 attempts. The Penguins' Ryan Huestis recorded the loss, stopping 21 of 24 shots he faced.

“Clokie stopped a lot of pucks, which is great. He gave us a chance,” said Fletcher.

Devon Pennell tries to sneak another goal past Ryan Huestis as the second period comes to a close.The more chances on net the Penguins took, the louder the audience was at the Hants Exhibition Arena.

“Everybody played and listened to what they had to do. They played positions. They played on the defensive side of the puck and we capitalized on our chances when we could so overall it was 20 guys who contributed.”

Game 2 recap

The Valley Maple Leafs won Game 2 by a score of 7-5.

The game was knotted 3-3 after the first, with goals being scored by the Leafs' Young, Duggan, and Jonah Vidito, and the Penguins' Snedden, MacDonald, and Glenn McInnis.

The Leafs held a 5-3 lead heading into the third period, with goals being scored by Alexander Shaw and MacKinley.

The third period was penalty-ridden, with three of the four goals scored on the power-play.

MacDonald and Kyle Randall tied the game up for the Penguins before Shayne Gillis, shorthanded, put the Leafs back in front. Isaac Bridge added the insurance goal about a minute later.